Dispensing nozzle

ABSTRACT

An adjunctive device for automatic filling and topping-off dispensing nozzle to introduce a time lag or delay between the initial tank filling and topping-off operations by causing a unidirectional delay in the passage of a fluid thru a flow conduit which will, in turn, cause a uni-directional delay in pressure equalization thru said conduit, the invention comprising a spindle in the conduit having a diameter substantially less than that of the conduit but having a series of frusto conical surfaces axially aligned with the conduit and inclined in one axial direction so as to facilitate flow in that direction but presenting radial surfaces which impede flow in the opposite direction.

United States Patent Mayer [451 Dec. 5, 1972 Appl. No.: 148,366

U.S. Cl ..141/l28, 141/225 Int. Cl. ..B65b 3/26 Field of Search ..l4l/l28, 192-229,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,678,658 5/1954 Rittenhouse ..f...'...1 41/128 Primary ExaminerHouston S. Bell, Jr.

AttorneyThomas H. Whaley, Carl G. Ries and L. H. Phelps, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT An adjunctive device for automatic filling and topping-off dispensing nozzle to introduce a time lag or delay between the initial tank filling and topping-off operations by causing a uni-directional delay in the passage of a fluid thru a flow conduit which will, in turn, cause a uni-directional delay in. pressure equalization thru said conduit, the invention comprising a spindle in the conduit having a diameter substantially less than that of the conduit but having a series of frusto conical surfaces axially aligned with the conduit and inclined in one axial direction so as to facilitate flow in that direction but presenting radial surfaces which impede flow in the opposite direction.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures I a 76, l

4 \lr 4 ea PATENTEIJ on: 5 I972 DISPENSING NOZZLE The present invention concerns an improvement in an automatic fuel dispensing nozzle and specifically an improvement which is particularly applicable to a dispensing nozzle of the type shown in copending application, Ser. No. 134,992.

That is to say, the present invention has to do with a flow restriction device for a fluid flow conduit which is particularly applicable to my aforementioned copending application but likewise is also of value in connection with other equipment wherein flow is to be more restricted in one direction than the other in any conduit.

Briefly, the field of automatic dispensing nozzles referred to above concerns those wherein the typical gasoline nozzle, for example, which is inserted into a feed pipe of an automobile gas tank is responsive to the initial surge of gasoline in the feed pipe to cut off the flow, followed by a subsequent, restricted flow which cant and his associates have filed in connection with such development work, it has been found that successful operation demands a specific and definite time lag between the cessation of the main or full flow part of the dispensing operation and the subsequent restrictive flow or topping-off operation. This, for example, calls for a time-delay period of say 14 seconds. It is also desirable to rapidly empty the cavity which is filled in l to 4 seconds in order to assure the availability of the full 1 to 4 second delay. In the various embodiments above mentioned this effect is realized in different ways. ln the aforesaid copending application Ser. No. 134,992 it is accomplished by a restricted passageway which controls the pressure change in a chamber which, in turn, dominates operation of a bleeder valve.

More specifically, as the main flow is cut off by closure of a secondary main flow valve, the consequent pressure rise upstream of the valve is transmitted to means involving a pressure actuated diaphragm which opens the bleeder valve thus enabling a restricted flow of the fuel about the secondary main valve and into the nozzle.

The restricted passageway may be simply a fine bore conduit or a conduit containing a fine restriction or having a needle valve therein. Such structures, however, are manifestly subject to flow impairment in the event that fine, solid particles find themselves into the fuel. Obviously, some such particles may not only tend to stop flow but, what is worse, result in a continual variation of the amount of restriction so that the timing of the operation is seriously affected.

The present invention overcomes this difficulty by providing a uni-directional flow-restricting device in the form of a spindle, for example, which is so conformed as to impose sharply different degrees of restriction depending upon the direction flow in the conduit.

Referring now to the figures of the drawing wherein one restriction embodiment of the present invention is shown in detail,

FIG. 1 is a view of the relevant portion of the automatic fuel dispensing nozzle which corresponds to FIG. 3 of the aforementioned application, Ser. No. 134,992.

FIG. 2 is a detailed sectional view of a portion of the passageway illustrated by the dotted line 76 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view the same as FIG. 2 but with the internal flow in the opposite direction.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a control lever 16, fulcrumed as at 18, is lifted in known ways to open valve 15 via stem 17.

This, at the same time, opens valve 40 via stem 46 and lock-out mechanism 47 controlled by pressure responsive diaphragm 58. The closure of main valve 15 is effected by a lock-out mechanism 10, controlled by pressure responsive diaphragm 28. v

The restricted flow for topping-off is set up by the opening of poppet valve 64 which opens in response to the action of diaphragm 68, controlled by the pressure in chamber 74. i i

As previously mentioned, the pressure in chamber 74 is, in turn, dominated by the line pressure upstream of secondary valve 40 which is transmitted to chamber 74 via conduit 76. I

The details of the foregoing structure are explained more completely and precisely in the aforementioned copending application to which reference is made for full details thereof.

Referring now to passageway 76, upon which reliance is placed to delay the pressure change in chamber 74, and accordingly the action of the diaphragm 68 in opening poppet valve 64, it will be seen that this involves a bored conduit of cylindrical conformation extending between the main line upstream of secondary valve 40 and the chamber 74.

The bore has a relatively large internal diameter considering the function to be performed but is occupied by a spindle or insert shown more clearly in FIGS. 2-4 and indicated by the reference numeral 12.

Specifically, the spindle shown is composed in a stepwise series of frusto conical sections integrally joined togetherin coaxial relationship. Each conical section comprises a frusto conical outer wall 13, terminating at its larger extremity in transverse face 14. In brief, therefore, the spindle comprises a member having the surfaces inclined in the direction of flow in one axial direction but being transversely arranged with respect to the fiow in the opposite axial direction.

It is held in position within the conduit by means of a simple strut or transverse bar such as wire member 19, shown in FIGS. 2-4 which is welded diametrically across the conduit as at 20.

The wire or restriction member 19 may also be fastened or otherwise welded to the spindle 12, but it has been found preferable to permit the spindle to move freely in the conduit, being restrained by a pin or wire at either extremity of the conduit. This has been found to be of considerable advantage from the standpoint of overcoming any tendency to clogging or variation of flow caused by accumulation of restrictive particles, since the movement of the spindle tends to make it self-cleaning.

Manifestly, from the foregoing disclosure the spindle may occupy only a relatively small portion of the length of the conduit or bore '76. In fact, it may be only approximately the length shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawing, just sufficient to prevent jamming and to maintain it in axial alignment with the bore 76. Also, it is preferable to form the spindle out of a material which is not substantially different in density from that of the fluid being handled. Under these conditions it has been found that the spindle will have some tendency to align itself along the axis of the bore as well as to shift along the central axis of the bore from one axial extremity of the bore to the other as the flow changes.

The practical function of this device as it is conceived by the inventor is more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. While one does not care to be bound by a theoretical explanation, the following at least forms a basis upon which the concept and operation may be more readily understood.

Thus, for example, in FIG. 2, with an increase in the line pressure in the chamber above valve 40, there is a tendency for flow in the left hand direction in FIG. 2

(as well as in FIG. 1), into the chamber 74 which dominates and controls the diaphragm 68. Due to the configuration of the spindle, each of the steps or ridges A formed by the large extremity of the frusto conical surface 13 forms a transverse abutment or barrier such that flow tends to be diverted into a vortex or turbulent whirl as shown by the small arrows in FIG. 2. Manifestly, this turbulence interferes with the flow thru conduit 76 and, therefore, delays the realization of the main line pressure within the chamber 74 for a predetermined period of time, depending upon the relative dimensions of the spindle 12 and the conduit 76, as well as the shape of the spindle. These are best determined by trial and error.

On, the other hand, when the pressure drops in the main line upstream of valve 40 (as when valves 40 and 15 are opened for full flow) it is desirable to drop the pressure in chamber 74 relatively rapidly to accord with the lower pressure in the main line upstream of valve 40.

As shown in FIG. 3, this occurs by virtue of the fact that the conical surfaces inclined axially downstream no longer tend so severely to impair or restrict the flow of liquid, which, as shown by the arrows, tends to occur in the right hand direction as shown in FIG. 4 with a relatively straight line laminar flow.

Therefore, flow occurs much more readily to the right as viewed in the figures.

I claim:

1. In an automatic fuel dispensing nozzle for filling and topping-off a tank in which a topping-off valve is actuated automatically by an increase in line pressure when the main flow is terminated,

means for effecting a predetermined time delay in the initiation of the topping-off step which comprises a flow conduit or conducting main line pressure to a control chamber and means in said conduit for. effecting uni-directional restriction of flow,

said last named means comprising a spindle member in such conduit having an overall diameter substantially less than that of the conduit and being formed of a series of frusto conical surfaces, inclined readily outwardly in the direction of the main line but being inclined readily inwardly in the control chamber. 2. An automatic fuel dispensing nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said spindle is relatively axially elongated but of substantially lesser length than the length of such conduit.

3. An automatic fuel dispensing nozzle as defined in claim -1 wherein said conduit is cylindrical.

4. An automatic fuel dispensing nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said spindle has an axial length substantially less than the length of such conduit and is freely axially movable therein in response to flow 

1. In an automatic fuel dispensing nozzle for filling and topping-off a tank in which a topping-off valve is actuated automatically by an increase in line pressure when the main flow is terminated, means for effecting a predetermined time delay in the initiation of the topping-off step which comprises a flow conduit or conducting main line pressure to a control chamber and means in said conduit for effecting uni-directional restriction of flow, said last named means comprising a spindle member in such conduit having an overall diameter substantially less than that of the conduit and being formed of a series of frusto conical surfaces, inclined readily outwardly in the direction of the main line but being inclined readily inwardly in the control chamber.
 2. An automatic fuel dispensing nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said spindle is relatively axially elongated but of substantially lesser length than the length of such conduit.
 3. An automatic fuel dispensing nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said conduit is cylindrical.
 4. An automatic fuel dispensing nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said spindle has an axial length substantially less than the length of such conduit and is freely axially movable therein in response to flow within said conduit. 